Class Code 3241
Wire, Wire Rope Or Wire Cable Mfg – Wire Drawing
Class Code 3241 covers wire drawing operations in wire, wire rope and wire cable manufacturing — a specialized industrial process with unique mechanical, thermal and chemical hazards. The September 1, 2026 approved pure premium rate for this class is $4.086 per $100 of payroll. For California employers in this sector, correct classification and proactive safety controls directly affect workers' comp costs.
What Class Code 3241 Covers
This classification applies to facilities where wire is reduced in diameter by pulling (drawing) through dies using capstans, drawing benches or multi-stage drawing blocks. Covered operations include wet and dry drawing, annealing/heat treatment, drawing die maintenance, lubrication and pickling/acid cleaning tied to the drawing line, spool winding, stranding and pay-off/re-takeup equipment. It includes on-line inspection and process control tasks performed adjacent to drawing machinery, plus material handling of heavy coils and finished reels. Shops that manufacture wire, wire rope, cable cores, or intermediate drawn wire for later stranding or coating belong in this class when their primary process is drawing.
Who It Applies To
- Wire drawing machine operators and bench operators
- Die setters and tooling maintenance technicians
- Heat-treat/annealing line operators working adjacent to drawing lines
- Material handlers who move coils, reels and finished wire with forklifts or hoists
- Quality control inspectors assigned to drawing and winding stations
Common Job Duties
- Operating single- or multi-stage wire drawing benches and capstans
- Changing and setting drawing dies, dressing and inspecting tooling
- Applying drawing lubricants, monitoring die temperature and wire tension
- Annealing, cooling and tempering drawn wire as part of the line
- Winding drawn wire onto spools and assembling coils/reels
- Loading/unloading raw coils with hoists or forklifts and staging finished reels
- Performing routine lubrication, preventive maintenance and line clean-up
Common Injury Risks
Understanding the $4.086 Rate
The pure premium rate of $4.086 per $100 of payroll represents the expected cost of future claims for this class before insurer loadings and credits. To estimate premium, insurers multiply your payroll (divided by 100) by the pure premium and then apply experience modification, carrier expense loads, scheduled credits/charges, and any retrospective adjustments. Actual premium is influenced by your loss history (experience mod), payroll accuracy, chosen deductible or retrospective plan, and audited classification splits.
Cal/OSHA Compliance Requirements
Wire drawing shops must follow Cal/OSHA Title 8 requirements for machine guarding, control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout), hazard communication for acids and lubricants, respiratory protection where mists or fumes occur, and hearing conservation programs for high noise areas. Additional Cal/OSHA requirements often apply for hot work and annealing operations, acid storage/handling and permit-required confined-space procedures if workers enter tanks or pits.
How Key HR Helps Employers Under Class Code 3241
A PEO like Key HR helps employers in Class 3241 by ensuring correct class code assignment and payroll reporting, administering workers' comp claims to control reserves and return-to-work outcomes, and delivering industry-specific loss-control services (machine guarding reviews, LOTO implementation, chemical handling training and hearing conservation). We also streamline payroll audits and can bundle safety training, which helps reduce experience modification and overall workers' comp expense.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does every employee in a wire manufacturing plant go under Class 3241?
No. Class 3241 applies specifically to wire drawing operations. Other plant operations—such as insulation/coating, cabling/stranding, or office staff—use different class codes. Accurate payroll split between operations is essential for correct premiums.
What common safety controls reduce claims for wire drawing operations?
Effective controls include robust machine guarding and emergency stops, strict lockout/tagout procedures for die changes, mechanical aids for coil handling, PPE and respirators where mists occur, acid-safe PPE and eyewash systems for pickling, and an active hearing conservation program.
How can I lower my workers' comp cost if my facility is in Class 3241?
Focus on reducing recordable injuries and lost-time claims through targeted controls (machine guarding, LOTO, ergonomic improvements and chemical handling protocols), maintain accurate payroll reporting, participate in return-to-work programs, and work with a PEO or insurer to access loss-control coaching and timely claims management—actions that improve your experience modifier and reduce premiums.
Quick Facts
- Class Code
- 3241
- Classification
- Wire, Wire Rope Or Wire Cable Mfg – Wire Drawing
- Pure Premium Rate
- $4.086 / $100 payroll
- Effective Date
- September 1, 2026
- Source
- WCIRB Approved Filing
Manage Workers' Comp Through a PEO
Key HR provides pay-as-you-go workers' comp for California employers — no large deposits, no audits, better rates.
Get a Quoteor call (800) 922-4133Ready to Simplify Workers' Comp for Class Code 3241?
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